Adjustable carry strap

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a sleeve formed with a longitudinal interior void. A transverse aperture extends through a side of the sleeve into the longitudinal interior void. A cord passes through a first end and a second end of the sleeve, through the longitudinal interior void, and outward through a transverse aperture formed in the sleeve. The portion of the cord passing through the transverse aperture forms a slack loop held by a cord lock. The apparatus may be used to suspend an object from a person&#39;s neck or shoulder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are related to apparatus for suspending an object from a person's neck or shoulder.

BACKGROUND

An object such as a camera, identification badge, binoculars, whistle, pair of eyeglasses, or other relatively small article may be suspended from a lanyard or strap worn around a person's neck or suspended from a person's shoulder. The strap or lanyard may be formed with a wide section to distribute the weight of the suspended object across a larger contact area, or may have a pad slidably engaged with the lanyard. It may be possible to adjust the lanyard or cord with buckles or similar devices to raise or lower the suspended object. However, buckles and other length-adjusting devices may cause discomfort when pressed against a person's body. Furthermore, adjusting a buckle may cause the suspended object to be offset to one side or may move the pad or wide area on the strap away from a preferred contact area on a person's body.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment includes a hollow sleeve having a first end; a second end opposite said first end; and a cord passing through the first end, the second end, and through a longitudinal interior void space of the hollow sleeve. The cord has a segment extending outward from a transverse aperture formed in the sleeve, the segment forming a slack loop. A cord lock slidably engages with the slack loop.

Embodiments may optionally include any one or more of the following, in any combination: the void space in the hollow sleeve extends from the first end to the second end; and the transverse aperture extends into the longitudinal interior void space through a first side of the hollow sleeve but does not extend through a second side of the sleeve. The sleeve may be formed with a second transverse aperture, and in an embodiment with the second transverse aperture, the cord passes through the first end, the transverse aperture, the cord lock, the second transverse aperture, and the second end, and the slack loop is formed between the transverse aperture and the second transverse aperture.

An embodiment may optionally include an attachment device slidably coupled to said cord. The cord may form a closed loop without free ends, or may alternatively be formed with a first free end and a second free end. A first attachment device may be joined to the first free end and a second attachment device may be joined to the second free end. Either one or both of the first and second free ends may be formed with an interior void.

An embodiment may further include a pouch suspended from the cord. The pouch may be suspended from the cord on a side of the sleeve opposite the cord lock. The pouch may slidably engage the cord or may alternately be joined to the said cord.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view toward a front side of an example apparatus embodiment having a cord passing through a hollow sleeve, with the cord formed into a closed loop.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment having two transverse apertures formed in the sleeve.

FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment having a cord with two free ends.

FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment having a pouch suspended from the cord.

FIG. 5 shows an example hollow sleeve with a transverse aperture.

FIG. 6 shows an example hollow sleeve with two transverse apertures.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view A-A of an example hollow sleeve.

FIG. 8 is an alternative cross-sectional view A-A of an example hollow sleeve.

FIG. 9 is another alternative cross-sectional view A-A of an example hollow sleeve.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view B-B of an example cord.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative cross-sectional view B-B of the example cord.

FIG. 12 shows another alternative cross-sectional view B-B of the example cord.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view C-C of the example pouch from FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments in accord with the invention are described herein. In some embodiments, a flexible cord passes through opposite ends of a hollow sleeve, through an interior longitudinal void in the sleeve, and through at least one transverse aperture formed about halfway along a longest dimension of the sleeve. The cord further passes through a cord lock, dividing the cord into a segment forming a slack loop and at least one segment from which an object may be suspended. When the cord lock is clamped against the cord, the slack loop is prevented from slipping through the transverse aperture in the sleeve. Unclamping the cord lock permits the cord to slide freely through the cord lock, reducing the size of the slack loop and moving a suspended object farther from the sleeve. The cord can be made from any acceptable material including but not limited leather, cloth, rubber, metal, and twine; and can be elastic or inelastic.

Embodiments may be worn around a person's neck or shoulder with the sleeve against the back of the neck, against the collar of a garment, or against a shoulder. The sleeve remains interposed between the cord lock and the person's body, preventing the cord lock from pinching the person's skin or clothing. Embodiments are well suited for comfortably suspending objects from the cord passing around part of a person's body without causing discomfort to the person from the cord or cord lock pressing against the person's skin.

Embodiments are adjustable to permit a suspended object to be raised or lowered relative to the sleeve. A suspended object will not be displaced toward either the first or second end of the sleeve by an adjustment of the size of the slack loop with the cord lock. Only one cord lock needs to be manipulated to change the height of a suspended object while keeping the object approximately centered on the sleeve, in contrast to previously known straps requiring the adjustment of two or more buckle pieces to raise or lower a suspended object or adjust the centering of the object relative to a person's body.

An example of an embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The embodiment 100, also referred to herein as an adjustable carry strap 100, includes a cord 102 passing through a first end 116 and a second end 118 of a sleeve 104. The cord 102 extends outward from the sleeve through a transverse aperture 114 formed in the sleeve 104. The segment of the cord extending outward through the transverse aperture 114 passes through a cord lock 110 adjacent to the sleeve 104, forming a slack loop 106 on a side of the sleeve opposite a suspended object. The slack loop extends outward and away from the sleeve 104. In the example embodiment in FIG. 1, the cord forms a closed loop 146 without free ends. An attachment device 108 may optionally be coupled to the cord 102 to suspend an object from the adjustable carry strap 100. Examples of an attachment device 108 include, but are not limited to, a piece of hook-and-loop fastener material, a spring clip, a split ring, a side-release buckle, a bulldog clip, a snap, a binder clip, a snap hook, a carabiner, and a hook.

The example embodiment 100 in FIG. 1 may be operated by compressing a lock release 112 on the cord lock 110 while pulling the slack loop 106 away from the sleeve 104. The portion of the cord 102 below the sleeve, i.e., between the sleeve and the attachment device 108, may be drawn symmetrically upward through the cord lock, keeping the attachment device, or another object suspended from the cord, approximately centered below the transverse aperture 114. This contrasts with previously known devices having a strap which may be adjusted by shortening or lengthening the strap more on one side of an object suspended from the strap than the other side of the suspended object. Asymmetric changes in strap length may cause an object suspended from the strap to be suspended in an unbalanced or uncomfortable carrying position.

Releasing the lock release 112 from its compressed position causes the cord lock 110 to grip the cord 102, preventing the slack loop 106 from being withdrawn through the transverse aperture 114 and holding the object suspended from the cord at a fixed distance from the sleeve 104. In the example of FIG. 1, the transverse aperture 114 is preferably large enough for two strands of the cord 102 to pass through without binding, but small enough to prevent the cord lock 110 from being pulled into a void space between the top panel and bottom panel in the sleeve.

The sleeve 104 may be formed with a first transverse aperture 114 and a second aperture 115, as shown in the example of FIG. 2. The cord 102 in the example of FIG. 2 passes through a first end 116 of the sleeve 104, through the first transverse aperture 114, through the cord lock 110 and second transverse aperture 115, and through the second end 118 of the sleeve. The slack loop 106 is formed in the segment of the cord 102 extending outward from the first 114 and second 115 transverse apertures.

The cord 102 in the examples of FIGS. 1-2 is formed into a closed loop. The cord may alternatively be formed with two free ends as suggested in the example of FIG. 3. In the example embodiment 100 in FIG. 3, the cord has a first free end 144 and a second free end separated from the first free end. An attachment device 108 may optionally be coupled to each free end 144. An object to be suspended from the carry strap 100 may be coupled to the attachment devices 108, or may alternatively be tied to the free ends. In some embodiments, the cord 102 may be formed as a hollow tube with an elastic segment at each free end 144. The elastic segment may be sized to grip the temple tips or earpieces of a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an embodiment 100 having a pouch 122 suspended from the cord 102. The pouch may include an optional flap 124 coupled to a front panel 126 by a flap fastener 127. The front and back sides of the pouch may be attached to each other by means for joining 136. A void space inside the pouch is provided for holding an object such as an identification badge, smart phone, money, a passport, eyeglasses, binoculars, or other objects. Examples of a means for joining 136 include, but are not limited to, stitching, adhesive, fusing, zippers, snaps, buttons, complementary pieces of hook and loop fastener material, and rivets.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate examples of a sleeve 104. As suggested in the example of FIG. 5, a longitudinal interior void 120 extends from the first end 116 to the second end 118 of the sleeve 104. In the example of FIG. 5, the sleeve 104 includes one transverse aperture 114. In the example of FIG. 6, the sleeve 104 includes a first transverse aperture 114 and a second transverse aperture 115. The transverse apertures (114, 115) pass through one side of the sleeve 104 and into the longitudinal interior void 120. As shown in Section A-A in FIG. 7 and alternative Section A-A in FIGS. 8-9, a transverse aperture preferably extends through a first side 132 of the sleeve into the longitudinal interior void 120 but does not extend through a second side 134 of the sleeve. An example of a position of the cord 102 inside the interior void 120 and passing through the transverse aperture 114 is shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. The sleeve 104 may be formed by weaving, extruding, or molding a material such as, but not limited to, neoprene, nylon, polyethylene, or other flexible polymers. The material selected for the sleeve preferably withstands laundering without damage to the material.

In FIG. 7, the example sleeve 104 is formed into a hollow flat tube. In FIG. 8, the example sleeve is formed into a hollow round tube. The sleeve 104 may be alternatively be formed from a piece of flat material folded and secured along a longest dimension of the sleeve by means for joining 136, as shown in the example of FIG. 9. The longitudinal void space 120 formed by folding the flat webbing provides space for the cord 102 to pass through the sleeve 104.

The cord 102 may optionally be provided with alternative cross-sectional shapes, as shown in the examples of FIGS. 10-12. The cord may have a solid cross section without substantial voids as suggested in FIG. 10, may be provided with a hollow interior as shown in the example of FIG. 11, or may be provided with a polygonal perimeter shape as suggested in the example of FIG. 12. For a cord 102 with a hollow interior, the diameter 130 of a void in the cord 102 may optionally be sized for a sliding fit of a temple tip from a pair of eyeglasses.

Some details of the example pouch 122 from FIG. 3 are shown in a cross-sectional view C-C in FIG. 13. The example pouch 122 may include a flap 124 extending from a back panel 142. An interior void space 138 formed between the flap 124, the back panel 142, and the front panel 126 provides space for an object to be placed in the pouch. The front panel 126 may be joined to the back panel 142 by means for joining 136. The front panel 126 may optionally be formed with a transparent window 131 so that an object placed inside the pouch 122 is visible through the front panel. The flap 124 may be detachably coupled to the front panel 126 by a flap fastener 127 attached to the flap and positioned to engage a complementary part of the flap fastener 128 attached to the front panel 126.

The back panel 142 of the pouch 122 may optionally include a sleeve 140 through which the cord 102 passes. The pouch may slide freely along the cord. Alternatively, the cord may be joined to the pouch by means for joining 136, holding the pouch in a fixed position on the cord.

Although the examples of embodiments have been described with reference to suspending an object around a person's neck, it will be appreciated that all of the embodiments herein are effective for suspending an object from a person's shoulder or from an inanimate object.

Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have their corresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of their presentations, and ordinary terms of art have their corresponding regular meanings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a hollow sleeve comprising: a first end; and a second end opposite said first end; a cord passing through said first end, said second end, and through a longitudinal interior void space of said hollow sleeve, said cord having a segment extending outward from a transverse aperture formed in said sleeve, said segment forming a slack loop; and a cord lock slidably engaged with said slack loop.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal interior void space in said hollow sleeve extends from said first end to said second end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transverse aperture extends into said longitudinal interior void space through a first side of said hollow sleeve but does not extend through a second side of said sleeve.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second transverse aperture formed in said sleeve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cord passes through said first end, said transverse aperture, said cord lock, said second transverse aperture, and said second end.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said slack loop is formed between said transverse aperture and said second transverse aperture.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment device coupled to said cord.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cord forms a closed loop without free ends.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cord is formed with a first free end and a second free end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a first attachment device joined to said first free end and a second attachment device joined to said second free end.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first free end is formed with an interior void.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pouch suspended from said cord.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pouch is suspended from said cord on a side of said sleeve opposite said cord lock.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pouch slidably engages said cord.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pouch is joined to said cord. 